5/5 Stars

It was amazing- a total PR for me!

Yes!

Perfect- even the out and back was Better than I expected.

I ran the course I've over all summer!

Downhill train!

Live here

5/5 Stars

Excellent. VERY cold at the start but could have been worse. Would have been nice to wait on the bus a while.

Yes by 3:44. I ran the half. Didn't need to run the full. I was already qualified for Boston.

Excellent for getting a PR.

Should have run more hills to improve my speed and time. Legs and heart need the experience of downhill races.

Run hills more. Dress warmer for the start.

Brought food for the night before in the hotel room instead of dining out. Good decision.

Nothing. Came to run a race, not see the sights.

Grand Junction, CO

5/5 Stars

My race day had so many great memories from making new friends to seeing a moose just off the side of the course to a great PR.

I had a awesome race by cutting five minutes off my PR with a finishing time of 1:46:32.

Very beautiful and fast.

My training went very well this year by adding some tempo runs and speed work to my program but most importantly running slower on my long run days. What I would do differently for next year would be add some more race like runs to my training program to get a feel for the speed of this course. Advice I would give other would be try to train on some down hill routes to simulate race.

I have ran this race every year. Tips I would give others would be bring warm cloths to the start to stay warm before the race, train on some down hill routes to simulate this course and most importantly enjoy your race!

I just relaxed before the race so my legs would be fresh. After the race I hung out with other runners, talk about how their race went, meet up with family to cheer on other runners to finish their marathon or half then went home to watch football, GO UTES!

5/5 Stars

Very impressed. Smoothly run, scenic course, went without a hitch. Highly recommend

Yes, in half marathon for over 10 mins. Thinking about coming back next year for a full to PR!

Fast, scenic. I relaxed and let the gravity take me

Didn't train specifically for the half, but still PRd

Do it

Before the race I shivered in space blanket as it was 40 degrees at the start. However it made it for a great running weather. I am from upstate NY

5/5 Stars

I'm so glad this was my first half as the course was beautiful, the volunteers were so positive and supportive, and instructions to runners prior to the race were clear. I was very nervous at first because I felt I had undertrained with overall running mileage. The bus ride up the canyon seemed so slow and then I thought "I have to run all of this way BACK???" It was cold at the top so I'm glad I brought a sweatshirt and hat plus the gloves/space blanket in the goodie bag. The start was a little confusing with long lines at the porta potty and no announcements to get in line, etc. I didn't hear the gun go off. But once I was running, the runner's high immediately kicked in and I let myself enjoy every part of it. At mile 10, I knew I was going to be able to finish it so I was overcome with emotion, especially when I saw my pacing stats. When the volunteer placed the surprisingly heavy metal over my head, I was a feeling like none other!

This was my first half so I don't have anything for comparison. My usual pace is between 10:30-11:30 min/mil and I finished with an overall pace of 9:11 min/mil! I was anticipating to finish between 2 hrs 20 min to 2 hrs 30 min and was shocked to finish at 2:00:20:71.

I live in the area and am familiar with the windy turns and steepness of the canyon. It's very different experiencing it on foot rather than in a car. The first 9-10 miles were almost magical - seeing a moose shortly after the start, the sound of the babbling creek, the beauty of trees with colors already changing, etc.! It made it easy to forget about the work going into the race. After exiting the canyon, it became more challenging as the course became more flat and the shade of the canyon was replaced with direct sun. Since I had never done a run longer than 9 miles, I knew it was going to be a challenge for me. I was fighting physical exhaustion and didn't enjoy the narrower running lane with traffic on both sides. I was motivated by friendly police monitoring traffic and countless volunteers and people cheering us on. I had been given advice to push myself hard at the end so I would "run the gas out of the tank" by the finish. I feel like I accomplished that goal and felt physically spent after crossing the finish line.

Most of my training was cross training with Pilates and Orange Theory Fitness 3-4 times per week so my actual running mileage per week was only about 20-25 miles (longest training run was only slightly over 9 miles because it was so hot this summer). My running was usually on local hilly trails/courses which was a HUGE help to train both uphill and downhill. Twice a month I'd run up and then down City Creek Canyon so the steep downhill of Big Cottonwood wasn't a problem.

Train both uphill and downhill at least twice a week. I did the REVEL online coaching and found it to be very helpful. Run as close to the yellow line in the middle of the road so you aren't dealing with both the steepness of the route and sharp banking of the curves of the road (avoid IT band issues that way). Drink lots of Powerade or do gels early at aid stations to give fuel for the last half which will be much harder when it is flatter and hotter in the direct sun.,

Went home and took a nap!

5/5 Stars

Fun! Beautiful run!

Yes, set a personal record - this was my second half and my only real goal was to finish, but I made it under 3hours!

Beautiful. All downhill, some steeper than others and I had a hard time with the steeper parts, but most of it was a pretty easy coast.

I'm afraid I'm not an avid runner so my training generally consists of walking and hiking.

5/5 Stars

The first 19 fantastic. 19-22, death run. Appreciated the 3:40 pacer who I had made promise me there weren't anymore rolling hills. He was great. Just enough encouragement to help me refocus my mind.

Love the sunrise at the top.

No

Loved the canyon. The there and back section was a little bit long and not in the most gorgeous setting!

I enjoyed some years ago when it went through the town or paved paths and neighborhood.

To run a descent I need to practice descent. Note: need more descent in my training.

Keep your throwaway gloves until you are near the bottom of the canyon and can feel the sun.

Hmmm. Liked the Hyatt they were incredibly accommodating.

Bend, Oregon

5/5 Stars

This was my first half marathon - I did not train at all for it, I think I did a 2-miler once in the preceding 2 months before the race. I think of myself as more of a sprinter. I knew it was going to be cold up in the canyon before the race started, but it was really, really cold! Beautiful scenery though. I've ridden Big Cottonwood on my motorbike many times but I think running through it really allows for one to take in the scenery. I felt really good up until mile 10, where I started cramping in both thighs and my feet were really feeling the pavement. I walked most of the last 3 miles, but it was a really great feeling crossing that finish line.

I did PR! Since this was my first half marathon, I guess I had to. Haha.

The course was absolutely beautiful. Mostly downhill with some flat sections, especially out of the canyon and onto the road. Downhill training is a must for this course. For my first half marathon, I think this course was perfect.

Zero training. My advice would be to train.

Dress warm before the race starts. I was freezing. Other than that, make sure you have gone to the bathroom because the lines can get long.

I live in the area so I just showed up and did the race. After the race they have a lot of fun stuff to see and check out.

5/5 Stars

This was my fifth half and first big cottonwood half. It has become my favorite. It was so gorgeous and VERY well organized. Thank you.

I did PR. I ran the Ogden half in 2:29 and that was my fastest until big cottonwood. I ran 2:11!!

The course was fast and gorgeous. Breathtaking in spots. The "S" curve was my favorite.

I trained three days a week and tried to incorporate down hill training.

Train down hill as well as strength training.

I drove from Tooele Utah that morning. Left my house at 3:30am. The canyon didn't feel that cold and it was a nice area. The finish area was the best I have seen. So organized and thought through. I loved the cold towel to clean up a bit. Very nice touch.

5/5 Stars

Very tough course. Good running surface but extreme steep(for me) at times.
Well run event. Had a never forget day- thanx

No but, my 3:53:01 was my fastest marathon in almost 4 years and 4 th fastest of 16.

More difficult then I thought. I train on mostly flat so I'm having difficulty walking today(day after)
More steep AND highest altitude I ever saw for an event. Challenging and stunningly beautiful.

About 40 miles/wk. track WO with repeats and long runs on weekends. Did dome hill trading but not nearly enough.

Train running repeats downhill

Drove course- wow- scenery